Royal Caribbean has opened up bookings for its latest cruise ship, Legend of the Seas.
Whereas the cruise line marketed the official opening for bookings is on Thursday, Feb. 20, in sensible phrases, it is open for bookings now.
In case you missed it, Legend of the Seas would be the title of the third Icon Class ship, and Royal Caribbean revealed particulars in regards to the ship yesterday.
That is going to be one of many greatest cruise ships on the earth, coming in at 250,800 gross tons, and have the ability to accommodate as much as 7,600 passengers.
In contrast to the 2 ships that got here earlier than it, Legend will start crusing in Europe earlier than coming to the US. Here is what to know in regards to the first sailings.
First sailings on two continents
You would e-book the primary crusing throughout two totally different inaugural voyages.
Legend of the Seas will welcome paying company for the primary time when she departs Barcelona, Spain on August 2, 2026.
The primary crusing is a 7-night Western Mediterranean cruise that may go to France, Spain, and Italy.
It is a vital transfer to have a brand new ship begin in Europe, as Royal Caribbean has shied away from this for some time.
In response to Royal Caribbean, it is a possibility to reply demand from Europeans who’ve needed an Icon Class ship, “our company throughout Europe have been asking for for an Icon Class ship to to be based mostly there. And this was the precise time to convey it,” stated Royal Caribbean Chief Advertising and marketing Officer Kara Wallace.
Legend stays in Europe via October, till the ship departs on a 13-night transatlantic crusing.
The brand new ship heads to Fort Lauderdale, Florida the place the primary crusing is a fast 3-night crusing to Excellent Day at CocoCay.
There are further 6- and 8-night Caribbean voyages via April 2027.
How a lot does Legend of the Seas price?
In case you’re trying to e-book a cruise on Legend, it isn’t going to be an inexpensive deal.
New cruise ships have a tendency to come back with increased costs, and Legend of the Seas isn’t any exception to that pattern.
Within the first hours the brand new bookings can be found to e-book, the least costly crusing on the vessel out there to e-book was the 3-night inaugural crusing from Fort Lauderdale on Nov. 11, 2026.
It begins at $918.99 per particular person, together with taxes, charges, and port prices.
In fact, that 3-night cruise is an outlier, because it’s the one brief crusing.
The following least costly crusing is among the final cruises in Europe earlier than Legend transitions to North America.
The September 20, 2026 7-night cruise from Barcelona, Spain begins at $1,567.67 per particular person, together with taxes, charges, and port prices.
Not surprisingly, the costliest crusing is a 6-night western Caribbean Christmas voyage that begins on Dec. 20, 2026.
There are 28 stateroom classes, together with some actually superb suites with eye-opening costs.
There’s some sticker shock with the worth for the highest two suites on Legend of the Seas, however that is been a pattern since Icon of the Seas first went on sale.
On the higher finish of the spectrum, the Royal Loft Suite will price $115,972.40 for 2 individuals on that aforementioned Dec. 20 crusing.
That will get you 2,088 sq. ft of residing area, which is essentially the most luxurious suite throughout the Royal Caribbean fleet.
On the identical cruise, the unbelievable Final Household Townhouse that spans three decks, a slide, white picket fence, and film room will price you $110,232.40 for 2 individuals.
These two suites are the largest suites on the ship, with sufficient area and options to rival some houses. Plus, they arrive with the cruise line’s high perks that embody virtually every part in your cruise fare and supply entrance of the road entry in lots of instances.
Suites are at all times a splurge and costly, however additionally they include super advantages.
Different suites are priced comparatively decrease, however like all cabins on a model new ship, you may pay a premium for that privilege.
Costs will most likely solely go up
Do not count on fares for Legend of the Seas to come back down anytime quickly.
Royal Caribbean Group executives stated as a lot throughout a current earnings name, after they forecasted the pattern of cruise costs rising to proceed via 2025 and past.
“Demand for 2025 is robust with e-book load elements in step with prior years and at increased charges, permitting for additional pricing and yield development as 2025 bookings proceed to ramp up,” stated Royal Caribbean Chief Monetary Officer Naftali Holtz throughout an earnings name with buyers.
Your finest value technique for cruising on Legend of the Seas is just too e-book rapidly earlier than costs go increased.
A current evaluation of Royal Caribbean cruise costs point out fares begin rising about 10-12 months earlier than the crusing begins.
Pricing developments present fluctuations in value a yr earlier than the sail date, however when you attain that 10 month window, costs solely are likely to pattern upwards.
An additional benefit to reserving a cruise up to now upfront is you would possibly have the ability to reprice the cruise if there are value drops later.
Residents of choose international locations can make the most of Royal Caribbean’s value match possibility, assuming they take the time to trace their cruise fare value.
